Boat



J. LEE

Dec; 10, 1940.

BOAT

Filed Oct. 11, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 y Dec. 10, 1940.

J. LEE

BOAT

Filed Oct. 11, 1938 -2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 10, 1940 UNHTED STATES PATENT OF-FlCE.

' 2,224,482 i i l BoAT Joseph Lee, Boston, Mass. Application october 11, 193s, serial No. 234,384

1o claims. (o1. 9 6) My invention relates to boats and more espepanels are held tgethel and n direct contact cially to pleasure sail boats for use on. inland at their opposite cutwater ends by an exterior waters. hull-shaped covering or sheath made up of sec- An object of the invention -is to provide an tions 20,2I and-22 offlexble waterproof sheet 5 improved boat of light and strong construction material such as pyroXylin-treated Sateen or if which can be home made or commercially procanvas adhesively attached to the outsides of duced by comparatively unskilled workmen, at the wooden side panels by waterproof cement minimum cost. and united in overlapped relationship to provide To these ends I have provided an improved a complete outery water-excluding hull-shaped boat of the character referred to having the sheath unit. t Lf) features of construction and arrangement of Bottom boards l2 of wood are fitted in position parts set forth in the following description, the between the lowerl marginal `portions ofthe side several novel features of the invention being panels and the bottom section 2| of the outer separately pointed out and defined in the claims hull-shaped sheath is adhesively attached to the at the close thereof. under sides of these boards by waterproof ce- In the accompanying drawings: ment. It is to be noted that no calking is nec- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a sail boat conessary in connection with the bottom boards I2 structed in accordance with this invention. since the latter do not serve as a bottom' closure Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly broken away for the boat and that said boardsneedv not exand in section, of a portion of the boat shown tend the full length of the boat. These boards 2Q in Fig. 1. are provided merely as an inner oor for sup- Figure 3 is a top plan View of the hull of the porting the occupant of'the boat and they may boat shown in Fig. 1. be nailed to transverse cleats I4 and to the lower Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line marginal portions of the side panels IU and Il 4-4 of Fig. 3. as shown in Fig. 4; 25

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of one end of Between the side panels l0 and ll are arthe boat in process of construction. ranged three transverse struts I3, l5 and l1, of Figure 6 shows one-half of the bottom sheathwood, one near the bow, one at the middle of ing element hereinafter referred to. l thehull, and one near the stern. Figure 7 is a side elevation of the parts illus- Figure 6 illustrates one-half of the section 2| 30 trated in Fig. 5 in condition to receive thereon that is employed for thebottom of the sheath, the side sheathing hereinafter referred to. the other half being a counterpart of that shown;

Figure 8 is a detail showing one of the two end Figure 9 illustrates the construction of the two sections of the hull-shaped sheath hereinafter sections 22 which are applied to outsides of the referred to. wooden panels I0 and Il, while two end sections 35 Figure 9 iS a plein VeW, Partly broken eWeY, like that illustrated in Figure 8 complete the set of one of the two side sections of the hull-shaped 0f fabric Sections employed in prmjucingk the sheath hereinafter referred to. outer sheathv of the boat.

The embodiment of my invention herein illus- Each fabric end segton 2|), Fig. 31 is an elontrated is a small flat-bottom sail boat whose hull gate strip provided at one end with two flaps 40 is pointed at both ends and in this instance 24, one at each 'side of thev longitudinal median measures abOut SXteen feet n length and iS line'of the section, andl atits opposite end with about two feet eight inches in width at its beam, two aps 25, one at' each of said median line. but 0f Course I may embody my invention in These end sections 20 are applied to the wooden beets Of Various SZeS and Some Other types. side' panels I0 and Il before installation of the 45 The hull of this boat is constructed inaccordstruts and bottom boards and while said side ance with the present invention and comprises panels are in fiat condition Yand held natwise two oppositely disposed, outwardly bowed wooden together with their diagonal ends 'in register. side wall panels IU and II which may be about In applying each section 20 to the ends of the one-half inch thick and which have their opposide panels the longitudinal middle portion there- 50 site ends cut diagonally as shown. Thus when of between the broken lines 26, Fig. 8, is laid they are fastened together in bowed condition against and cemented to the diagonally cut'ends as shown in Fig. 3 the hull will have a flare as of the wooden side panels with the aps 24 proshown in Fig.l 4 and also a sheer fore and aft jecting above the top edges of the panels and of the waist as illustrated in Figure 1. These the flaps 25 Aprojecting below the bottom ledges 55 thereof. Then the opposite side portions or flaps of the section are folded inwardly against, and cemented to, the outer surfaces of the side panels. The wooden side panels I and II are then 5 spread apart and the struts I3, I1 and I5, Fig. 3,

together with the bottom boards I2, inserted between them, said struts and boards being held in position `against sidewise sliding displacement relatively to the side panels by means of nails. Then one of the iiaps 24 and one of the. aps25 are folded transversely across the@ angle. formed by the two Wooden side panels with the end portion of each cemented to the outer side of the.

opposite side panel yafter which the other two angle formed by the side panels andV cemented to the previously folded flaps.

In this way the wooden side panels-aref joined or tied together at their tops and bottoms by the transversely folded iiaps 24 and 25, while the body portion of each end section holds'together the intermediate portions ofthe panel ends between said flaps.

Each side section 22, Fig..9, is made with a body portion that is bounded' bythe top-y edge thereof and by the broken lines 28 and. 29, and. this body portion is of the same size and shapev as'- thatof the side panel to which'` it isapplied. At each end of this body portion is provided a flap 30 extendiing from the top to the bottom thereof, while at the bottom of said body portion is provided' a longitudinal marginal iiap' 3|'.

The bottom section 2| ofthe sheath, Fig. 6, is ymade with a body portion thatis bounded by the broken lines and whichis'. of the samefsize and shape as the bottom of the boat and this body portion is provided upon its-opposite sides: with longitudinal marginal flaps 36 and' atv its; opposite ends with end flaps 31.-

' After installation of the struts and. bottom boards the bottom 'section 2l is laid upon and cemented to the bottom boardsA I 2' and-.to the bottom edges of the wooden side panels after which the iiaps 36 are folded upwardly' against.and cemented to, the outer sides of the latter; Then, as shown in Fig. 7, thev end flaps' 31 are folded upwardly against, and cementedtto, the endV sections 20.

The opposite ends of eachi strut I3, I^1Iand I5 are flush with the top edges of the: sidepanels I0 and I I and are fastened? to` the latter by kmeans of straps 38 each of whichmay-consist of: a strip of pyroxylin-treated sateen, canvasor the like, one end portion of whichris=` cemented to the: top

side of the strut andthe other end: portion of which is cemented to theouter sideofthe proximate side panel. These straps 381i serve to hold the side panels against being forcedi away from the ends of the struts.

One of the side sections 22 is` now placed in position against, and cemented to, the outside of one of the wooden. side panels and: to. those portions of the end sections 2U., straps 38fand bottom section 2| wlilchit o-verlies; after which the end flaps 30 thereof are' folded around into positions upon, and cementedto, theoppositezsides of endtsections-2'. The'other'side section r22 is then placed: in position against, and cemented to, the outside of the other wooden side panel and to those portions of the endsections'- 20, straps 38 and bottom section .2I whichv it overlies, after which the end naps Sil-thereof' arefolded around intoposition upon, andicementedto, the endportions of the other side section 22'.

The bottom marginal flaps'3I" of both side secflaps 24 and 25 are folded transversely across the tions are folded inwardly upon, and cemented to, the body portion of the bottom section 2I as shown in Fig. 4.

From the above description it will be seen that the side panels I0 and II are held in their outwardly bowed shape by the struts I3, I1 and I5 while the proximate extremities of said side panels at each end of the hull are held together by the end sections 20, the flaps 30 of the side sections and the opposite end portions of the bottom section 2 I. It will also be clear. that three layers of fabric are provided at each end of the hull for holding the'extremities of the side panels III and I I together and for closing the joints between the meeting ends of the side panels.

The strut I3 vand one of the cleats I4 that is directly below it are formed with vertically alined holes 4U, Figs. 3 and 4, kfor the reception of a mast 4I, Fig. l, which is preferably a bamboo pole, and to which is fixed a sail 42. This mast is provided with aboom 43 consisting of a bamboo pole to which said sail is also fastened as usual, and the occupant of the boat controls the sail by `means of a sheet or rope 44 whereof one end is fastened to the `boom as shown. Diagonal braces 45Figs. 3 and 4, may be fastened to the strut I3 and its cleatA I4 to reinforce and stiffen the forward end of the boat. Also a fixed iin keel 46 may be fastened to the bottom of the boat by angle irons; after application of the bottom section 2I of the sheathing.

For use in steering the boat I have provided a sweep comprising a horizontally disposed lever or bar 41 constructed with a depending arm 48 whose lower end portion occupies a position within the boat and is provided with a pair of hooks 49- that Vare engaged with screw-eyes 5I) projecting from the rear sides of a pair of cross-bars I6 disposed within vthe hull andv havingv their ends fastened to the opposite side panels II) and II. At its rear end the bar or lever 41 is constructed with `a downwardly and forwardly extending blade 5I land it will be clear that by swinging the sweep on the pivot hooks 49v the blade 5I will steer the craft.

In using the above described boat the occupant is seated upon the floor boardsbetween the strut I1 anda back rest 52 and holds the sheet 44v with one hand while with the other he manipulates the sweep 41. The back rest 52 may be around crossbar whose opposite ends abut and are fastened to the side panels I0 and I I'.

The abover described 'boat` isof simple, strong and durable construction and when made ofthe dimensions set forth above, or thereabouts, does not cost over fifteen or twenty dollars to build. Furthermore, the actual construction may be carried out by comparatively inexperienced persons. Because of the fact that the wooden side panels are bent around the struts into the bowedshapes shown, the main function of the said struts is aL thrusting action which maintains the side panels in their bowed apart condition whileany strains to which the boat may be subjected'in use tending to separate the side panels from the struts is opposed by the hull-shaped sheath` and theA straps 38; It will also be clear that the'oppo` site ends of the wooden side panels are bound togetherk by triple layers of fabric which also close the joints at those places. The longitudinal joints at opposite sides and, bottom of the hull. throughout their lengths are closed by double layers of fabric as shown in Fig; 4, 4said double layers connecting the lower portions ofv the wooden side panels withthe bottomzboards.

loI

, gether by external lashings.

I am, ofcourse, aware that the principle of binding to hold boats together is one of the oldest in naval construction.` 'I'he early Irish curaghs, the early Viking ships, thevearly Eskimo kayaks, all had frames bound together by thongs, and in some cases planks were bound to the frames by internal thongs piercing knobs or cleats on the inner sides of the planks. I am further aware that the canoe offers the example of an inner wooden shell or frame merely covered by a waterproof outside layer of fabric. I am also aware that in the Black Sea and elsewhere rafts of reeds, or of heavier sticks, have been held to- It isv true, further, that in the kayak, native or exotic, lthe fabric or skin serves itself as the walls or shell of the vessel. HoweverQI am not aware of a case where an external fabric hulll unit serves the dual function of fastening together and holding under tension bowed Wooden side walls or panels and also excluding water from the interior, thus eliminating calking and internal framing other than mere spacing and pressure resisting struts.

W'hat I claim is:

l. A boat of the character described comprising two oppositely disposed, outwardly bowed, wooden side wall panels having proximate extremities thereof at one end of the boat arranged in direct registering contact to provide the boat with a sharp cutwater end, and a complete hull-shaped sheath unit of non-elastic waterproof textile fabric inclosing and ladhesively and permanently attached to the outer sides of said side wall panels approximately throughout the length of the boat, said unit in- T opposite side marginal portions, said aps being folded transversely in opposite directions across said end and adhesively fastened together, and flaps at the lower ends of said opposite side marginal portions, said flaps being also folded transversely in opposite directions across said end and adhesively fastened together.v

2. A boat of the character described constructed in accordance with claim l and wherein said sheath unit also includes a bottom section of non-elastic waterproof textile fabric having longitudinal side marginal flaps, one at each side thereof, said side marginal aps being folded upwardly against, and adhesively attached to, the outer surfaces of said wooden side wall panels and said end-closing strip, and two longitudinal side sections of waterproof textile fabric each having a body portion adhesively attached to the outer surface of one of said wooden side wall panels and to the outer surface of one of the side marginal flaps of said bottom section and provided at its bottom with a flap that is folded inwardly against, and adhesively attached to, the said bottom section, one of said two longitudinal side sections being made with an end flap, said flap being folded transversely around said endclosing strip on to the opposite side of the boat and adhesively attached to the outer side of said end-closing strip.

3. A boat of the character described constructed in accordance with claim 1 and wherein said sheath unit also includes a bottom section of non-elastic waterproof textile fabric having longitudinal sidemarginal flaps, one at each side thereof, said side marginal flaps being folded upwardlykagainst, and adhesively attached to, the outer surfaces of said wooden side wall panels and said end closing strip, and two longitudinal side sections of waterproof textile fabric each having a body portion adhesively attached to the outer surface of one of said wooden side wall panels and to the outer'surface of one of the side marginal portions ofA said end-closing strip and to the outer surface of one of the side marginal flaps of said bottom section and provided at its'one end with a flap, said ap being folded transversely around the pointed end of the boat on to the opposite side thereof and adhesively attached to said end-closing strip.

4.1A- boat of the character described comprising two oppositely disposed, outwardly bowed, wooden s ide wall panels having proximate extremities thereof at the opposite ends of the boat arranged in direct registering contact to provide the boat with sharp cutwaters at its opposite ends; bottom boards disposed between said side Wall panels, and a complete hull-shaped sheath unit of non-elastic waterproof textile fabric inclosing said side wall panels and bottom boards, said unit including two end-closing strips of waterproof textile fabric having their longitudinal medial portions tted against the ends of said wooden side wall panels to close the joints between the same and each having its opposite side marginal portions folded into position against, and adhesively attached to, the outer sides of said wooden side wall panels to hold the latter together, flaps at the upper ends of the opposite side marginal portions of each end-closing strip, said flaps being folded transversely in opposite directions across the boat and adhesively fastened together, flaps at the lower ends of the opposite side marginal portions of each of said strips, said flaps being also folded transversely in opposite directions across the boat and adhesively fastened together, a bottom section of nonelastic waterproof textile fabric adhesively attached to said bottom boards and having longitudinal side marginal aps, one at each side thereof, said side marginal aps being folded upwardly against, and adhesively attached to, the outer surfaces of said wooden side wall panels and said end-closing strips, and two longitudinal side sections of Waterproof textile fabric each having a body portion adhesively attached to the outer surface of one of said wooden side wall panels and to the outer surface of one of the side marginal flaps of said bottom section, a flap provided at the bottom of each side section, said flap being folded inwardly against, and adhesively attached to, the said bottom section, flaps at the opposite ends of one of said side sections which are folded around said end-closing strips and adhesively attached thereto, and flaps at the opposite ends of the other of said side sections which are folded around and adhesively attached to the end flaps of said rst mentioned side section.

5. A boat of the character described constructed in accordance with claim 4 including a transverse strut disposed between the upper portions of said side wall panels for holding the same in spaced apart relationship.

6. A boat of the character described constructed in accordance with claim 4 including a transverse strut disposed between the upper por- 7. A boat of the character described compris ing two oppositely disposed, outwardly bowed, woodenY side wall panels and a hull-shaped sheath unit inclosing said side wall panels made from waterproof textile fabric and within which said side wall panels are confined and by which the opposed proximate extremities of said wooden side wall panels at each end of the boat areheld together in direct registering` contact, said' sheath unit including a bottom wall section and two oppositely disposed side wall sections fitted flatwise against, and adhesively attached to, the outer sides-of said woodenfside wall panels; transverse struts disposed between and abutting the inner sides of said wooden side wall panels so as to maintain the same in their bowed condition under the binding effects of said sheath unit, the top sides of said transverse struts being flush with the top edges of said wooden side walls panels, and straps of waterproof textile fabric connecting the opposite ends of said` struts with the side wail panels, each of said straps having one end portion adhesively attached' to the top side of its strut and its opposite end portion folded downwardlyland adhesively attached to the outer side ofthe proximate wooden side wall panel.

8. A boat of the character described comprising two oppositely disposed, outwardly bowed, wooden side wall panels, bottom boards attached 40 to said panels and a hull-shaped sheath unit inclosing said bottom boards and panels and binding together the opposite ends of said panels in direct registering contact, said unit being made from flexible waterproof textile fabric and ini; cluding a bottom wall section adhesively attached to said bottom boards, two side sections which are tted' atwise against-and adhesively attached to, the vouter sides of said wooden side wall panels, two strips; each folded around one end of the boat and adhesively attached to the proximate ends of. said side sections, and transversel struts disposed between and abutting the innersides of said wooden side wall panels so as to maintain the same in their bowed condition.

9. A boat of the character described constructed inA accordance with claim 8 including a pair of cross-bars adjacent tothe stern of the boat disposedv one above the other, and also including a. steering sweep that is pivotally supported by said cross-bars, said sweep including a forwardly Vextending lever arm.

10. A boat of the character described comprising two oppositelydisposed Wooden side wall panelszh-aving proximateextremities thereof at each end of the boat arranged side by side in direct registering relationship to provide the boat with pointed. ends, transverse struts xed permanently in position between and abutting the inner sides of saidside wally panels to hold the intermediate portions of the same in spacedapart relationship; a wooden bottom wall, and a iiexible waterproof textile fabric sheath unit adhesively attached to the exteriors of said sidewall panels and said bottom wall, said sheathcomprising two longitudinal-side sections extending throughout the length f the boaty each having a body portion adhesively attached tothe exterior of oneof said wooden side wall panels with its bottom marginal portion throughout the length thereof'folded inwardly and adhesively connected with the exterior of said bottornwall so as to rigidly connect its side wall panelwith said bottom wall, and each of said side sections being made at its opposite ends withv end flaps which are folded around the opposite ends of said side wall panels and adhesively attached to the exterior of one of thelatter so as to fasten said opposite ends together and hold the intermediate portions of said side wall panels permanently bent outwardly and in abutting engagement with the opposite ends of said struts.

JOSEPH LEE. 

